Color Coded Chromosomes, Biomedical Beat

Genetics Terminology: 
Chromosomes & Sister Chromatids

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ANAT & PHYSGENERAL BIOCELL BIOMICRO 8wkMICRO 15wkINSTRUCTORS



Nuclear and Cellular Division
During nuclear division, the chromosomes line up at the cell's equator and then the sister chromatids separate and move to opposite ends of the cell (poles). Once separated these former sister chromatids are now each considered a chromosome. 
Article Summary: When is DNA considered a chromosome? What is a sister chromatid and how does it differ from a chromosome? This article unravels some of the lingo of DNA.
Duplicated Chromosomes vs. Sister Chromatids
Labeled Image of Duplicated Chromosome & Sister Chromatids
Two joined sister chromatids:
1) Chromatid, (2) Centromere,
(3) Short arm, (4) Long arm
Chomosomes & Chromatids During Mitosis
Preparing for Nuclear Division
For most of the cell cycle, the DNA molecules are in very long strands called chromatin. But when the cell prepares to divide, it must pack its DNA for the move. So prior to cell division, the chromatin condenses. This replicated DNA molecule, in its condensed form, is now referred to as a chromosome
Students often become confused when it comes to the genetics terminology associated with chromosomes and chromosome number. What are homologous chromosomes? What are duplicated chromosomes? 
MITOSIS cells secuence
Sources & Resources

In the illustration above, the third cell shows 4 sets of sister chromatids (joined, duplicated chromosomes) lined up at the cell's equator. In the fourth cell, these sister chromatids have separated from each other into 8 daughter chromosomes.

 Cell 
 Division 
 Photo 
 Guides:
   
Mitosis Classroom Activity 

Meiosis Classroom Activity


Mitosis Classroom Exercise
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Copying DNA
Before a cell divides, it must make a copy of its DNA (nucleic acid) so that each daughter cell has a complete copy of genetic information. Each individual DNA molecule is the material of one chromosome, and the process of copying the DNA is called replication.

Semi-conservative Replication
DNA is a double-stranded molecule. Each strand holds the same genetic information. Therefore each strand can serve as a template for the production of a new strand. The template strand is preserved and the new strand is assembled from nucleotides (the small monomers that together make nucleic acids). The resulting double-stranded DNA molecules are identical, and are linked together until the process of nuclear division (separation of the duplicated genetic material).
Drawing of a condensed, unduplicated chromosome, and a condensed, duplicated chromosomes, showing sister chromatids.
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Endomembrane System of a Eukaryotic Cell, Mariana Ruiz
Page last updated: 10/2015
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You have FREE access to a large collection of materials used in a college-level introductory biology course. The Virtual Biology Classroom provides a wide range of free educational resources including PowerPoint Lectures, Study Guides, Review Questions &  Practice Test Questions.
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Dominant Genetic Trait of Tongue Rolling
What are chromatids? How do all of these terms differ and how do they relate to each other? To understand these terms, we must first review cell division. 

Cells Divide to Make More Cells
During the cell cycle, somatic cells (non reproductive cells) of eukaryotic organisms grow and divide. In this process, called mitosis, a single cell ('parent cell') splits into two identical 'daughter cells'.
DNA replication
DNA molecule replicating: Strands separating so that the DNA can be read and replication can occur.
But, remember, there are two copies attached to each other until nuclear division. Each of the two copies of a chromosome are designated as a sister chromatid and they are physically linked together at a point on the chromosome called the centromere.

Once the chromosomes move to opposite poles, the dividing cell reforms a nuclear membrane around each of the two areas of separated genetic material. The cell itself then proceeds to divide in a process called cytokinesis, and what was once one cell becomes two, completing the process of mitosis.